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Enabling Chemical Propulsion System for the Growing Small Satellite Market

Fact Sheet

Reporting

Objective

The global satellite industry is experiencing a paradigm shift exhibited by the rapid expansion of the small satellite market. It is being driven by continuously advancing technological, design, manufacturing capabilities and decreasing launch costs.Despite the booming demand for and evident advantages of small satellites, one critical system – satellite propulsion – have fallen behind this recent miniaturization trend. At present, there are no market-ready small satellite green chemical propulsion systems available. Alternative propulsion systems are mostly based on hazardous chemicals, are expensive, difficult to integrate and offer low performance.NanoAvionics, a satellite manufacturer and integrator, developed EPSS (TRL 6) – low cost, high performance propulsion system for small satellites, making use of a non-toxic, environmentally-friendly propellant. The entry market size for this system is €1.75 bn in 2017-2020. Success in this market will permit later extension of the technology to the medium and large scale satellite market.To ensure successful commercialization, during SME Phase 2 project NanoAvionics aims to conduct final piloting and qualification of the technology, preparation of the production infrastructure, product commercialization, and increasing the investment readiness of the company. The project will raise the TRL of EPSS to 8 by integrating it into pilot partner’s satellite, and will contribute to reaching TRL 9 by launching partner’s satellites to space demonstrating EPSS in orbit. Using EPSS will enable pilot partner to offer unique services based on small satellite constellations.NanoAvionics has already signed the piloting agreement as well as 3 Memorandums of Understanding and 10 Letters of Intent with organizations that intend to integrate EPSS into their satellites. SME Phase 2 project will result in €14 M revenues and €4.4 M profit by 2020 and brake even reached in 2 years after the end of the project.

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EPSS 2 (Enabling Chemical Propulsion System for the Growing Small Satellite Market)

The EPSS project developed a feasibility study for NanoAvionics’s new breakthrough invention of a green propulsion system for small satellites. This study developing and validating a business plan according to the requirements of the target customer groups. The following three tasks were implemented 1) Identify the market potential of the proposed propulsion system; 2) Determine the level of customer demand and market interest in the product; 3) Develop a technology IPR strategy, and develop a solid business model for further commercialisation. The feasibility study validated that there is a fast growing market of small satellites and therefore also for propulsion systems for small satellites. The market research confirmed the initial business proposition that the Small satellite propulsion system manufacturing market is growing very fast, from 22 m EUR in 2016 to 196 m EUR in 2019. Participation in several global small satellite conferences confirmed that there are no similar solutions on the market and there is a growing interest from large and small satellite manufacturers and satellite operators for NanoAvionics’s green propulsion system for small satellites. A Freedom to Operate (FTO) analysis concluded that NanoAvionics has the full freedom to further commercialise the solution. Strategic patents applications are in preparation to protect the IPR of NanoAvionics during further commercialization. NanoAvionics is currently developing strategic partnership with one of the largest satellite manufacturers regarding further commercialsiation. From the expressed interest from potential customers, NanoAvionics is carefully selecting the most suitable launching customers to demonstrate to the market the commercial readiness of the green propulsion system. An SME instrument Phase 2 project is foreseen for conducting performance tests by independent research institutes, to develop infrastructure for pilot production and validate commercial offer to satellite manufacturers by building long-lasting partnerships for supply of green propulsion systems for small satellites. NanoAvionics aims to be the first company in the world to introduce a cost effective, green propulsion system for small satellites, enabling more satellites and satellite constellation projects to become economic viable and enabling the provision of new satellite services.